Gordon Edward Wright

Gordon Edward Wright, Sr., age 69, of Walland, went home home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. He was a loving, and loved, husband, father and grandfather. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents Willie and Nancy Wright and sister Gaynell Sloan. Gordon is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janice Wright; son Gordon E. Wright II and daughter-in-law Monika Wright with their children Isabella and Victoria Wright and Zachariah Johnson; son Gregory Chad Wright; sisters Lorene Caughron and her husband John and Delight Everett and her husband R.M., along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Gordon loved his Walland community and all of Blount County, but was especially fond of his mountain home alongside FenceRail Gap, the mountain home community he developed. A graduate of Walland High School, where he played on its 1961 undefeated football team, and the University of Tennessee. He was also a Marine Corps veteran, retired Senior Planner for ALCOA, Inc., former Captain of the Blount County Rescue Squad, and an Emergency Medical Technician. He was a Member of the Masonic Lodge #719 and also Scottish Rites. He was voted 1981 Outstanding Young Man of the Year {Jaycees}. In 1981, he travelled to the mission field in Africa and later coached his Sons Walland Peewee Football Team. In addition to his current term as Blount County Commissioner {2010 - present}, he previously served as Commissioner from 1982-1990. He also served on the ATFCU Loan Committee, Blount Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, and Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals. In addition, he was a member of The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center Board of Directors, where he donated and built the Wheelwright Shop in his honor of his parents. Receiving of friends and Celebration of Life will be held at the Smithview Pavilion from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2014. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to your favorite charity or the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Townsend, in which Gordon and Janice are both strong supporters. Arrangements by Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gordon Edward Wright please visit our Sympathy Store.